#07–210 July 30, 2007

Upstate youth dove hunt applications due by Aug. 17

Two youth dove hunts, sponsored by the S.C. Department of Natural Resources, U.S. Forest Service and the Upper Savannah River Chapter of Quail Unlimited, will be held in the Upstate on Saturday, Sept. 1, the first Saturday of dove season.

Applications for the youth dove hunts are due by Friday, Aug. 17. All Interested youths or adults should call or come by the Clemson DNR office, 153 Hopewell Road (off Old Cherry Road), to receive an application. To request an application by phone, call the Clemson DNR office at (864) 654-1671, extension 16. Application requests may also be e-mailed to: MortonR@dnr.sc.gov.

One active gun per youth (adult may not shoot when either youth is shooting) is allowed per stand. Fifty shells are allowed per hunter. One adult and up to two youths may apply together and will use the same stand. Applicants who have at least one youth member of their hunting party who has not participated on a DNR youth dove hunt before will be given priority. Youth must be ages 5-15 and be accompanied by an adult 21 or older.

Fifty-five slots will be available for these two hunts. If more than 55 applications are received, a random selection will be held. Previous participants in the youth dove hunts are encouraged to sign up for these hunts and encourage a friend to do the same. Duplicate applications will be disqualified.
One of the hunts will be conducted in Pickens County and one in Oconee County near the Stumphouse Ranger Station. The Pickens County field is within 5 miles of Six Mile. Selected hunters will need a Wildlife Management Area permit if applicable.

Contributors to the hunts include the Upstate Bearhunters and Houndsmen Association, South Carolina Wildlife Federation, South Carolina Bowhunters Association, South Carolina’s 4-H Program, Harry Hampton Memorial Wildlife Fund, Mountain Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation and the Upstate Chapter of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation.

Verification letters with further details will be mailed to all successfully drawn applicants. Applicants not drawn will also receive notification.

DNR protects and manages South Carolina’s natural resources by making wise and balanced decisions for the benefit of the state’s natural resources and its people.